Showing posts with label Valentine's Day. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Valentine's Day. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Valentine's Decorative Bread and Class With the Ladies




This week, in light of the love holiday we adore so much here I had two classes two days in a row on sweetheart bread making. One was my usual baking at the teaching kitchen in the Honeyville Farms AZ store . Today was teaching a private in-home class to 4 beautiful ladies. I love classes when I get to bring the goodie baskets!
 Today's class was hosted by darling April B. She's been a student for a year or so at the store but this was our first private class. I don't normally teach these anymore but April's won the class during a drawing at our new kitchen ribbon cutting event. It was fate. 
After kneading bread together, forming loaves and baking them, I thought I'd share the latest fun with the bread made simple by the use of food-grade cake stamps. Wilton made them but on their website it is looking like they are no longer available. I was able to find them Cakerysupplies.com and most of my local craft stores still have them in the cake decorating section. This was made using the 4 piece heart set

I use Wilton Icing gels and colors. Lightly painting the colors onto the stamps seems to work best.Generally I glaze the loaf with a little of my favorite Duff-metallic-gold-cake-graffiti
I also very much prefer his Duff-decorator-paint-brushes. They never leave pieces of brush on my breads.
Yes I do realize Duff is the Cake guy. I don't know if Duff knows his stuff is rock-star-cool for bread. I'm just telling ya what I love.
I love results I can count on.
 Plus, it is just nice to not have to be an artist! Play. Get your craft on. 
White White Icing Color  is what I use for the white. Make sure your bread is slightly warm for the color to hold best. Lightly paint the stamp with the color. Dipping in too much color will make a gooey mess.


 I had a really fun time seeing gals who said, "I'm not an artist" make the breads pretty simply! I love that!!
 Now, it may not be the normal bread you see every single day...but I think this will be the next big movement in baking trends. If I have anything to do with it, it sure as heck-fire will be!!  Glory be to the bread!  Right ladies?!

There you go my darlings! Make some fun bread!

Want more? See: My Chef Tess Painted and Decorative Bread Techniques

Always My Very Best,
Your Friend Chef Tess




Tuesday, January 29, 2013

My Top 10 Valentine's Treats, Cupcakes, and Decorating Ideas


As I'm getting ready for this amazing trip to Utah this week for  a Valentine's chocolate and goodies segment on  Fresh Living (Channel 2 Utah), as well as 4 Upcoming Utah Classes and Book Signing Events, I wanted to share some of my favorite things ever in the history of the blog when it comes to ideas for decorating and getting goodies together for Valentine's day. Enjoy a trip down CTB memory lane. We've only just begun! 

1.The most inexpensive and yet thoughtful centerpieces yet:

 How to Make Glowing Crystal Ice Centerpieces





2. My all time favorite goodie bar. 

Peanut butter-cup bars...because they're evil.




3. Be fabulous...Crystal Glazed Roses...Out Of Gumdrops!




4. This one's in the cookbook...and a perfect treat for any pink party! Homemade Strawberry Almond Milkshake Fudge Mix and Peanut Butter Fudge Mix and New Packaging Ideas


5. A delightful and easy morsel of happiness...

6. A cupcake that was actually designed and made to help free slaves...Caramel filled carrot cakes with buttery coconut pecan frosting, candied pecans and Toffee


7. The cupcakes that landed me the job I have today... 

Spiced Buttermilk Peach Carrot Crumb-cakes with Maple Hazelnut Glaze


8. The cupcake decorating idea that my auntie taught me as an awkward 11 year old girl. 

Gorgeous and Easy Sunflower Cupcakes

9. The cupcake of a Chef's Mom...Mom's Best Red Velvet Cake


10. The simple way to make a party tray! Plus tips for making them food-safe!  Recycled Cake Pans, Tiered Party Trays and Topiaries...Today's Ideas!


There you go my darlings. Make some great Valentine's goodies and decorations!

Always My Very Best,
Your Friend Chef Tess